Description
Plan and execute subsurface investigations to characterize soil, rock, and groundwater for civil, environmental, and energy projects. Design foundations, slopes, ground support, and underground works to ensure safety, performance, and sustainability. Assess geologic hazards and environmental impacts, recommend mitigation, and oversee instrumentation, QA/QC, and compliance during construction. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver economical, environmentally sound solutions.
- • Implement geotechnical risk management and site safety practices related to ground conditions and excavations.
- • Use GIS, CAD/BIM, and mapping applications to create cross sections, models, and plans.
- • Prepare technical memoranda, design reports, and presentations for clients, engineers, and regulators.
- • Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and QA/QC procedures, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- • Plan and conduct subsurface investigations, including drilling, test pits, sampling, and in-situ testing.
- • Interpret geologic, geotechnical, and geophysical data to characterize subsurface conditions.
- • Examine maps, borehole logs, and remote sensing data to evaluate site suitability and feasibility.
- • Design foundations, slopes, retaining structures, and excavation support systems.
- • Specify ground improvement, dewatering, and grouting methods for safe and economical construction.
- • Assess geologic hazards such as landslides, karst, seismic risks, liquefaction, and subsidence.
- • Perform stability, settlement, seepage, and deformation analyses using numerical models.
- • Prepare geotechnical reports with design recommendations, calculations, and construction guidance.
- • Develop project scopes, schedules, and cost estimates for investigations, design, and construction.
- • Monitor construction and instrumentation (piezometers, inclinometers, settlement points) and adjust designs as needed.
- • Devise solutions for erosion control, stormwater management, land reclamation, and site restoration.
- • Select and specify earth materials, aggregates, geosynthetics, and testing requirements.
- • Coordinate and supervise drilling crews, laboratories, survey personnel, and technicians.
- • Conduct and direct laboratory and field tests to determine engineering properties and validate design parameters.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Energy & Natural Resources
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
